Energy Balance-Related Behavior Risk Pattern and Its Correlates During COVID-19 Related Home Confinement

The Impact of the First and Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Eating Symptoms and Dysfunctional Eating Behaviours in the General Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the prevalence of feeding and eating disorder (FED) symptoms or dysfunctional eating behaviours (DEB) in the general population during the COVID-19 outbreak.

METHOD

We searched eligible articles in biomedical databases from 1 January 2020 to 31 March 2022. Prevalence rates of FED or DEB changes between pre-pandemic and pandemic time and correlation with psychological distress were pooled with a meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was tested using I-squared (I2) statistics. A total of 186 studies with 406,076 participants met the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

The more prevalent FED or DEB during the COVID-19 outbreak were: body image concerns (52%, 95% CI 0.38, 0.66), binge eating (40%, 95% CI 0.25, 0.55), and overeating (40%, 95% CI = 0.32-0.48). Pooled data of longitudinal studies (k = 8) only showed a significant difference in the prevalence of weight gain from pre-pandemic to the pandemic time. Finally, increased levels of psychological distress (k = 35) positively correlated with some ED symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis evidenced a negative impact of the pandemic on eating symptoms and DEB in the general population.

Patterns of energy balance-related behaviors and food insecurity in pregnant women

The behaviors related to caloric balance during pregnancy can lead to short- and long-term repercussion over the life course. This study aimed to identify patterns of energy balance-related behavior (EBRB) and its association with food insecurity (FI) in pregnant women. Cross-sectional, with pregnant women undergoing prenatal care in public health units in Colombo, Brazil, in 2018/2019. EBRB patterns were identified by factor analysis, and the scores were compared according to FI levels (mild and moderate/severe (M/S) through quantile regression. Four EBRB patterns were identified among 535 pregnant women: Factor 1- household/caregiving activities, exercise/sport, and physical inactivity; Factor 2 - fruits and vegetables; Factor 3 - paid work and commuting; Factor 4 - soda and sweetened beverage, sweets, and goodies. After adjusted analyses, women with mild FI presented higher scores for Factor 1 and lower scores for Factor 3. Higher scores for Factor 4 (p25) were observed among women with mild FI in simultaneous quantile regression. M/S FI was associated with lower scores for Factor 3 (p75). Mixed patterns with factors negatively and positively associated with energy balance were identified among pregnant women with FI.

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic-Induced Dietary and Lifestyle Changes and Their Associations with Perceived Health Status and Self-Reported Body Weight Changes in India: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic is accompanied by dramatic changes in lifestyle and dietary behaviors that can significantly influence health. We conducted an online cross-sectional survey to assess COVID-19 pandemic-induced dietary and lifestyle changes and their association with perceived health status and self-reported body weight changes among 1000 Indian adults in early 2021. Positive improvements in dietary habits, e.g., eating more nutritious (85% of participants) and home-cooked food (89%) and an increase in overall nutrition intake (79%), were observed. Sixty-five percent of participants self-reported increased oat consumption to support immunity. There were some negative changes, e.g., more binge eating (69%), eating more in between meals (67%), and increasing meal portion size (72%). Two-thirds of participants reported no change in lifestyles, whereas 21 and 23% reported an increase, and 13 and 10% reported a decrease in physical activity and sleep, respectively. Overall, 64 and 65% of participants reported an improvement in perceived health and an increase in body weight during the COVID-19 period compared to pre-COVID-19, respectively. The top motivations for improving dietary habits included improving physical and mental health and building immunity. In conclusion, the overall perceived health was improved and there was an increase in self-reported body weight in most participants during COVID-19. Diet emerged as the most crucial determinant for these changes.